Ward still one of hardest-working Steelers

[lamberts-lost-tooth]

Saturday, August 5, 2006


As the Pittsburgh Steelers' all-time leading receiver, and fresh off a Super Bowl MVP performance, Hines Ward could probably ease into his ninth NFL training camp. But then he wouldn't be Hines Ward.
"I asked him the other day why he takes so many plays," said newcomer Ryan Clark. "I mean, he's already a superstar receiver. But he said he still has to work, still has to make the team every year. When you see a guy like that, a veteran leader, a Super Bowl MVP, there's no reason why a free agent or a young guy can't work hard every day."

Ward reported to camp at 205 pounds, which he says is the lightest of his career. He stays after practice every day to catch passes from a machine ? sometimes using just one hand to perfect his technique. He stays longer still to work out with rookie receiver Santonio Holmes.

Ward, a four-time Pro Bowler, just turned 30. Wouldn't simply maintaining his level of play at that age be enough work?

"Technically, yeah," Ward laughed. "But for me, that's who I am. I'm very competitive.

"I'm not content with winning a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP. I think there's a lot of room in my game I can always improve on and I won't be satisfied. I want to hit that 10,000-yard mark for my career; I want to be mentioned right there along with Stallworth and Swann; and of course I want to go out and win another Super Bowl."

Ward caught everything Ben Roethlisberger threw Wednesday night, the quarterback's best practice yet. But if Roethlisberger is back, so is Ward.

After averaging 95 catches for 1,124 yards each of the previous four seasons, Ward caught 69 passes for 975 yards last season. He did have 11 touchdown passes, just one off his career high, and moved into first place on the Steelers' all-time receptions list.

"Even though I didn't have great stats, I had a better year last year than I did the year I caught 112 balls," Ward said. "What I had to do without a guy like Plaxico Burress on the other side, and to still put up double-digit touchdowns and up my yards per catch, I did the little things, converted third downs and made big plays when I had to. So for me, that counts way more than stats."

[Haiku_Dirtt]

[HometownGal]

Hines Ward oozes style, class, true grit and fierce loyalty and exemplifies what every professional athlete should be made of. If you ever want a sports role model for your children or grandchildren, look no further than #86.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

I love Hines Ward. He fits the mold of what a Pittsburgh Steelers should be. No shock to me that Hines is working so hard. He is the hardest working man in the NFL for a reason. I also think its going to pay off bigtime for Santonio Holmes since Hines has taken him under his wing.

Yea all that talk the Steelers will be lacking leadership this year is crap.

[nicesteel4life]

He Will and is be the BEST RECIEVER ever to wear BLACK N GOLD

[PisnNapalm]

Hines Ward is definitely of the same caliber as Stallworth and Swann.

[Black@Gold Forever32]

Originally Posted by PisnNapalm

Hines Ward is definitely of the same caliber as Stallworth and Swann.

When making the alltime Steelers team how can you chose the two starting WR's from those three? That would be tough.

[Dynasty]

I would say Hines and Swann.

Hines for the possession reciever type guy, nad Swann for the acrobitic stuff

[Haiku_Dirtt]

Originally Posted by WySilv

I would say Hines and Swann.

Hines for the possession reciever type guy, nad Swann for the acrobitic stuff

A different era. But Stallworth who came in a fourth round pick played 14 years . Swann came out of USC as a highly sought after and well polished receiver. I guess I don't really have a point. I wonder what some of the older school guys in here think about this.

They are all Hall Of Famers.

[LambertIsGod58]

Ward is the best all around receiver that we ever had I don't know that I'd say he was the best receiver ever though.